WordPress Plugin Table of Contents Plus Improper File Process Scanner

The scanner is designed to identify vulnerabilities in the WordPress Plugin Table of Contents Plus, which is widely used by website developers to create comprehensive and easy-to-navigate content indexes on WordPress sites. This plugin is popular among content creators and digital marketers for enhancing user experience through structured content presentation. However, in certain configurations, it may expose critical server paths, posing security risks. Typically, webmasters and security professionals use this scanner to ensure the plugin installation on their websites is safe from exploitation. It is crucial for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of web server environments that utilize this plugin.

This scanner specifically targets the Improper File Process exposure associated with WordPress Plugin Table of Contents Plus. Improper file processes can reveal sensitive server paths to potential attackers, offering them unauthorized insights into server directory structures. Understanding this vulnerability is key to preventing further exploits such as directory traversal and local file inclusion attacks. The scanner performs checks by accessing specific plugin files, ensuring that any such exposures are identified and mitigated promptly to prevent unauthorized access.

The vulnerability scanned occurs due to improper error handling within the plugin, which inadvertently exposes full server paths through error messages. The scanner checks specific plugin endpoints like 'toc-plus.php', 'toc.php', and 'class-toc.php' for such exposures. If these files execute with certain errors, they may disclose the server path in a way that attackers can exploit. The scanner identifies these conditions by looking for specific error indicators within the HTTP response body, confirming the presence of the vulnerability when fatal errors are coupled with specific plugin identifiers.

When this vulnerability is exploited, attackers may gain a mapping of the server's file structure. This knowledge allows them to perform more severe attacks, such as directory traversals or inserting/including malicious files. Ultimately, if unaddressed, it can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches, compromising the security and reliability of the server. Ensuring that such vulnerabilities are quickly detected and remediated is essential in maintaining a secure web environment.

REFERENCES

• https://wordpress.org/plugins/table-of-contents-plus/
• https://wpscan.com/plugins/table-of-contents-plus/